Report on the Harmful Algal Bloom in South Australia and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details the status, impact, and response to a significant harmful algal bloom (HAB) affecting the coastline of South Australia. The event, caused by the species Karenia mikimotoi, poses a substantial threat to marine ecosystems, local economies, and public health. Government and stakeholder responses are being coordinated through a multi-agency task force, reflecting a commitment to collaborative action. The situation underscores the critical importance of achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

2.0 Current Situation and Monitoring Efforts

State government agencies are conducting extensive monitoring to understand the scope and impact of the bloom, directly supporting the targets of SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by assessing marine ecosystem health.

2.1 Surveillance and Data Collection

• The fisheries patrol vessel Southern Ranger is deployed to conduct underwater observations using remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) to assess ecosystem damage and recovery potential.
• Weekly water samples are being collected from 17 sites, including West Lakes, the Port River, and the Patawalonga River, to monitor algae concentrations. This action is crucial for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) as it pertains to the quality of coastal and transitional waters.
• Satellite imagery is being used to track chlorophyll-a concentrations, providing a broad indicator of algal presence across Gulf St Vincent, Spencer Gulf, and waters around Kangaroo Island.

2.2 Geographic Spread

The bloom has expanded significantly since its initial detection on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

1. Elevated levels of Karenia have been confirmed along the metropolitan coastline, with very high concentrations at Garden Island and Outer Harbor.
2. The bloom has infiltrated the Port River, home to the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, prompting close monitoring of water quality and dolphin health.
3. The algae have also been detected in the Coorong North Lagoon, likely transported from the ocean via the Murray Mouth during recent storm and tide events.

3.0 Ecological and Economic Impacts

The algal bloom has caused significant disruption to marine life and key economic sectors, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental health and economic stability as outlined in SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

3.1 Environmental Effects

• Widespread fish deaths have been reported along the metropolitan coastline and at Port Broughton.
• The bloom has affected a diverse range of marine wildlife, including fish, sharks, rays, and invertebrates.
• Preliminary surveys are underway to assess the impact on protected Marine Park areas, a critical component of conserving marine biodiversity under SDG 14.

3.2 Economic Consequences

• Fisheries: Precautionary temporary closures have been enacted for commercial oyster and pipi harvesting in multiple areas, including American River, Port Vincent, and the Murray Mouth region. This directly impacts livelihoods and the local seafood industry, a key concern of SDG 8.
• Tourism: The presence of discoloured water, foam, and dead marine life, coupled with public health warnings, poses a risk to the coastal tourism sector.

4.0 Analysis of Causative Factors and Prognosis

Experts have identified several contributing factors, with climate change emerging as a significant driver, linking the event to the urgent need for SDG 13 (Climate Action).

4.1 Contributing Factors

1. Marine Heatwave: A prolonged marine heatwave, with sea temperatures 2.5°C above average, is considered a primary catalyst. This is a direct consequence of the changing climate addressed by SDG 13.
2. Nutrient Influx: The 2022-23 River Murray flood washed excess nutrients into the marine environment, providing fuel for algal growth. This highlights the land-sea connection critical to managing coastal ecosystems under SDG 14.
3. Oceanographic Conditions: An unprecedented cold-water upwelling brought nutrient-rich deep water to the surface.

4.2 Duration and Mitigation

The bloom’s duration is uncertain and could last for several months, dependent on environmental conditions. Currently, no active measures can be taken to dissipate the bloom; authorities must wait for it to break down naturally.

5.0 Public Health Advisory

Public health and safety are paramount, aligning with the objectives of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Clear guidance has been issued to the public.

5.1 Health Risks and Recommendations

• Exposure to the bloom can cause short-term skin, eye, or respiratory irritation.
• The public is advised to avoid swimming or surfing in discoloured or foamy water.
• Pet owners are instructed to prevent animals from swimming in affected water or consuming dead marine life.

5.2 Seafood Safety

• Fish caught live from unaffected areas are considered safe to eat.
• The public must not consume dead or dying fish or shellfish found on beaches.
• Ongoing testing in open harvesting areas ensures that commercial seafood meets safety standards.

6.0 Coordinated Response and Stakeholder Engagement

The state government has initiated a collaborative response, embodying the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by bringing together diverse stakeholders to manage the crisis.

6.1 Government Taskforce and Reference Group

An algal bloom taskforce and a Harmful Algal Bloom Reference Group have been established. The reference group includes representatives from:

• Seafood Industry South Australia
• RecFish SA
• Conservation Council
• Tourism Industry Council
• First Nations groups

This partnership aims to identify key issues, engage with affected sectors, and inform an expanded scientific monitoring program, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach to achieving sustainable outcomes.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. The article identifies nutrient pollution as a potential cause, stating that the “2022-23 River Murray flood washing extra nutrients into the sea” is a plausible contributing factor to the algal bloom, which is a form of marine pollution.
• Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration. The article details the adverse impacts on the marine ecosystem, including the death of “fish, sharks, rays, and a wide range of invertebrates.” Efforts to survey marine sanctuaries and understand the “rate of potential recovery” directly relate to managing, protecting, and restoring these ecosystems.
• Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing… and implement science-based management plans… The article mentions the temporary closure of commercial oyster and pipi harvesting areas as a regulatory response to the bloom to ensure product safety, which is a form of science-based management of fisheries.
• Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology… The article highlights numerous scientific activities, such as conducting underwater observations with “remote operated vehicles,” weekly water sampling at 17 sites, using “satellite imagery of chlorophyll-a,” and establishing a reference group to provide ideas for an “expanded scientific monitoring program.”

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article directly addresses the health risks from the algal bloom (a form of water pollution), noting that exposure can cause “short-term skin or eye irritation and respiratory symptoms.” It provides public health advice to mitigate these illnesses.
• Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The government’s response, including public warnings (“avoid swimming or surfing in discoloured water”), beach signage, and regular updates, constitutes a risk reduction and management system for the health risks posed by the bloom.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution… The entire article is centered on a water quality crisis. The monitoring of “elevated levels of the Karenia species” in the Port River, West Lakes, and along the coastline is a direct effort to manage and understand water pollution.
• Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems… The article mentions the bloom’s presence in the Coorong and the Port River, home to the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Monitoring these specific water-related ecosystems and assessing the impacts is a key theme.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products. The article notes the involvement of the “Tourism Industry Council” in the response group, indicating that the bloom is a threat to the local tourism economy. The warnings about beach use and the visual impact of the bloom directly affect sustainable tourism.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article explicitly links the bloom to a “marine heatwave” with sea temperatures “about 2.5°C warmer than usual,” which is a climate-related hazard. The government’s coordinated response through a task force is an action to build resilience and adaptive capacity to such events.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships… The article describes the establishment of an “algal bloom taskforce and reference group” as a direct example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It brings together government agencies (DEW, PIRSA, EPA, SA Health), industry (Seafood Industry South Australia, Tourism Industry Council), civil society (Conservation Council, RecFish SA), and First Nations groups to manage the issue.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

For SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Indicator for Target 14.1 (Marine Pollution): Concentrations of the Karenia algae species and chlorophyll-a levels measured through weekly water sampling and satellite imagery.
• Indicator for Target 14.2 (Ecosystem Health): Number of reported fish deaths and visual data from underwater surveys on the health of marine life and habitats.
• Indicator for Target 14.4 (Fisheries Regulation): The status (open/closed) of commercial harvesting areas for oysters and pipis, and the levels of brevetoxins detected in shellfish.
• Indicator for Target 14.a (Scientific Knowledge): The number of water sampling sites (17 mentioned), the frequency of testing (weekly), and the deployment of technologies like remote operated vehicles.

For SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Indicator for Target 3.9 (Health Impacts): The incidence of reported human health symptoms (skin, eye, respiratory irritation) related to exposure to the bloom.

For SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Indicator for Target 6.3 (Water Quality): Measured levels of the Karenia species at specific locations, such as the “very high levels at the Garden Island and Outer Harbor boat ramps.”

For SDG 13: Climate Action

• Indicator for Target 13.1 (Climate Resilience): Sea surface temperature anomalies, mentioned as being “1-2C above average” and a key contributing factor.

For SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Indicator for Target 17.17 (Partnerships): The establishment and active participation of the multi-stakeholder “Harmful Algal Bloom Reference Group,” comprising government, industry, and civil society representatives.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: environment.sa.gov.au